News, Issues and Insight for New Jersey - directly to your inbox

Poll: How's Superintendent Cami Anderson Doing in Newark?

January 23, 2014

The latest furor over Anderson's suspension of four principals has renewed calls for the state to give up its oversight of the district

Newark school superintendent Cami Anderson’s push to reorganize the state’s largest district has come under new fire of late, especially her plans for closing or consolidating more than a half-dozen schools.

The latest uproar has been over her suspension of four principals who spoke out against the plans last week, some apparently saying they would defy some aspects of the reorganization known as “One Newark.”

The principals’ fates are still not determined, but the suspensions set off a firestorm of protest in the community and on the blogosphere. That comes on top of widespread challenges to the state’s ongoing control of the school district, now approaching 20 years.

What do you think Anderson’s plans for the district and how she has carried them out?

Strong support: Anderson has brought important changes and accountability to schools that have been underperforming for decades, providing hope for children and families.

Good start: It’s still too early for final judgment, but Anderson has made progress, including a historic teachers contract that ties pay with performance.

It's complicated: The goals are good, but more can be done to involve the community in helping solve what are complex and difficult problems.

Tone deaf: Anderson is out of touch with the community’s wants and needs, and she is only dividing it further with her management style, allegiance to unproven reforms, and partnerships with charter schools.

End state control: Newark Public Schools have gotten worse under Anderson, not better, and the state needs to return control of the district to local authorities immediately.